TechAmerica Urges Congress to Ban Internet Access Taxes

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- TechAmerica, the public sector and public advocacy department of CompTIA, issued the following statement from Elizabeth Hyman, executive vice president, TechAmerica, praising the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act which was introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and is headed to the House Judiciary Committee for mark-up tomorrow:

"The Internet has brought astounding changes to both our economy and our daily ways of life.  We now learn, shop and do business online.  We communicate with friends and family online.  The Internet provides a dynamic mode of communication for our American society, as well as our neighbors around the world.   Accordingly, we believe that access to the Internet should remain unburdened by taxes.  We must not allow a patchwork of federal, state and local taxes to restrict access to this essential service.  

"Since its initial enactment in 1998, the Internet Tax Freedom Act has banned federal, state and local governments from taxing Internet access charges, as well as from assessing multiple taxes on electronic commerce.  The stated purpose of this law was to 'promote and preserve the commercial, educational, and informational potential of the Internet.'  This purpose is even more valid today.  However, this moratorium, which has been extended three times since its enactment, is now set to expire on November 1, 2014.  

"Accordingly, we urge Congress to pass a permanent ban on multiple and discriminatory taxes on access to the Internet, as provided in bipartisan legislation, the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (H.R. 3086 and S. 1431).  The Internet is now a basic necessity for our business and personal lives, and we must not allow federal, state or local taxes to hinder access for all Americans."

About TechAmerica
TechAmerica is the public sector and public policy department of CompTIA, advocating before decision-makers at the state, federal and international levels of government. Representing technology companies of all sizes, TechAmerica is committed to expanding market opportunities and driving the competitiveness of the U.S. technology industry around the world. With offices on Capitol Hill and in Northern Virginia, Silicon Valley and Europe, as well as regional offices around the U.S., we deliver our members top-tier business intelligence and networking opportunities on a global scale. Learn more about TechAmerica at www.techamerica.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Learn more about CompTIA, the ICT industry trade association, at www.comptia.org.

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SOURCE TechAmerica